The venue, Abu Dhabi. The occasion, Pirelli's test for the compounds that are to be used in the F1 2026 season. With the top speed capped at 300 kph, and reduced downforce levels, the programmed aimed at replicating similar conditions to those expected after next year's regulations overhaul the sport.

Speaking after the test that marked his first meters as a Red Bull Racing driver, Hadjar said: "It was great to get my first laps in as an official Oracle Red Bull Racing driver.

"It's nice to know that I'll be able to come back in January and already have met and worked with more of the Team, having met a lot already through testing over the last couple of years. They welcomed me really well and I already feel comfortable with this group.

"Of course, this is a totally different car to the one I will be driving in Barcelona but it was good to get a feel of the tyres. It's also important to bank the data now and it'll definitely help over the coming months as we build towards the new season," the French Algerian concluded.

Racing Bulls' test and reserve driver, Ayumu Iwasa, took over the second Red Bull drive. "I managed to complete a lot of laps at the post-season test today and it was great to work with Oracle Red Bull Racing again," the Japanese driver said.

"I drove around here on Friday for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, so it was nice to get back out on track so quickly. It has been a very long season for everyone, and the test comes so soon, but everyone was really focussed on gathering important data heading into a crucial year with the new regulations.

"I've been able to do a few Formula One tests this season and drove the RB21 in Bahrain for FP1 so it felt good to get back into the car and see how my driving has developed over the last eight months. I hope that the Team can use this data and I was happy the laps I put in," he concluded.

Iwasa finished the test in P5, with Hadjar down in P21. Catch up on the Abu Dhabi Pirelli test here.

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